Nutrition Education Programs

Teaching that you are what you eat.

At the Nutrition Group, wellness education is central to our programming. The purpose of these programs is to encourage a healthy lifestyle while increasing participation in your school’s food service program. TNG’s commitment to wellness education starts with our youngest students and changes with them as they learn and grow.

Be Your Best Self

This umbrella program, ranging from elementary to secondary students, uses a wealth of supporting programs and initiatives to encourage students to make healthy lifestyle choices, not just involving food, but all aspects of their life.  

Farm to Fork

Supporting local farmers, Farm to Fork creates unexpected learning opportunities for children to form healthy eating habits. We encourage kids to taste new flavors through farm-fresh food.

Is Your Tray Ok?

Here, we take a deeper dive into lunch. Kids have fun while learning the five food groups and how to choose food from each group when they’re in the cafeteria.

Wellness Wednesdays

Supporting local farmers, Farm to Fork creates unexpected learning opportunities for children to form healthy eating habits. We encourage kids to taste new flavors through farm–fresh food.

Calvin the Calf

Our charming character shares messages on growing and eating fresh fruits and vegetables. He also loves to share samples of fresh produce.

Molly the Cow

Molly happily teaches children the importance of milk and dairy products. She enjoys handing out samples of low-fat treats like yogurt or string cheese.

Crave Dayz

These are days where we have special visitors or we feel like celebrating a unique occasion. One example is a pop-up cooking event, such as Spaghetti Bolognese Grilled Cheese, where we produce an entrée right in front of the students. 

Featured Faves

These limited time offers are a fun way to spice up the menu.  Examples of these are blueberry overnight oats, a taco layered cup or cinnamon bites with icing.

Take Nutrition Global

This well-rounded program allows secondary students to enjoy ethnic fare from around the world.  Students will be able to experience and taste various flavors while being educated on many of the nutritional benefits of native or regional ingredients. 

Planet Pals

As Planet Pals, we encourage all students to take only what they need—whether it’s food, napkins, or utensils. Small actions like these show we care about our planet and are working together to protect it for future generations.

More Taste Less Waste

More Taste, Less Waste starts with smart choices—like grabbing only what you’ll eat and using just the napkins and utensils you need. Wasting less means enjoying more and doing good for the planet, one tray at a time.

Nutrition Expedition

One of our main focuses at The Nutrition Group is educating students and schools on the value of nutrition. This is especially important for our younger audiences, as we want to build healthy habits early.

Snack Attack

Snacks play a vital role in keeping growing minds energized. Students will learn why snacks are important and how to choose healthy ones. 

Friday Try-Day

Students will sample a featured food item and learn about the nutritional benefits of the featured selection. 

Sports & Activity Nutrition

Active students learn how a solid sports nutrition plan can support their training and improve performance. 

Nutrition for Life

The Nutrition for Life program was developed to help younger students explore the cafeteria and the delicious choices we have, and to feel comfortable when they want to come in and participate in breakfast or lunch.

Freaky Foods

Let’s give kids a chance to expand their palette by trying new tastes they never would have considered before. This activation is a game that helps kids to eat healthier.

Say hello

Get in touch to learn more about our services and offerings!
Feel free to contact us anytime – we’re here to help.

Ed Caswell

CEO, Majority Owner

Ed stands by a solid brand promise: “At The Nutrition Group, we try to do exactly what we say we will do. No surprises. Guaranteed.”

The Nutrition Group began when Walter McGrew and Ed Caswell purchased a small division of Potter McCune in June of 1975. Walter needed someone that would help grow Nutrition Inc. Providentially, Ed was in the right place at the right time. Walter offered him the opportunity to help grow the new business along with a share of the company. Ed enthusiastically accepted and became Vice President. The early years were characterized by transition, from a volume-based commissary operation to bid-based contract catering and then to contract food service management.

As with any successful business, many hours were invested, much experimentation was tried and many lessons were learned. The main key to early success was hiring quality, team-oriented management personnel and nourishing and encouraging their personal and professional growth.

Mr. McGrew retired in the early 1980’s and divested his interest to Ed in 1991. The leveraged buyout necessitated creative capitalization beyond bank financing. As it turned out, the idea to sell stock to key management personnel remains a powerful component in the company’s success. This has allowed The Nutrition Group to maximize growth opportunities and improve operational capabilities. Being an actively involved owner of the company is energizing, it lights the fire of pride and commitment because it is personal.

The Nutrition Group has enjoyed continual growth guided by their top management leadership team, which has been another hallmark throughout the years of our management philosophy: a strong, dedicated and focused top management team. The corporation has developed teamwork structures and principles within all levels of our business and closely monitors and supervises daily implementation and progress.

Ed’s customer-first philosophy that fueled company growth from the beginning is still the driving principle today. The employees of The Nutrition Group embrace that philosophy in all that they do. Today, The Nutrition Group serves over 240 school districts across six states and has a Commissary Division serving daycare and Head Start children, Senior Centers and Healthcare facilities. Also, the Facilities Management Services division provides custodial maintenance management, capital project management and owner’s representative services.

Ed’s parents and grandparents passed on their entrepreneurial beliefs. He was raised in a business household. He is grateful to Mr. McGrew his first partner and business mentor. He is grateful to God, his wives, family, the many “Nutritionites”, customers, vendors and outside sources of inspiration – all of which helped him to grow and develop into the person God has graced him to be. Ed believes, “We grow more through our hardships than blessings, but we are grateful for both.” He is a man of faith whose resourcefulness, perseverance and leadership helped build The Nutrition Group.

The integrity and commitment of The Nutrition Group business model, focusing on trying to consistently please the customer and sincerely attempting to do what we say we are going to do, is what sets us apart from the competition.